News

An autopsy has confirmed that a recovered body is that of a man who disappeared earlier this month at a Kalamazoo lake. Police said in a release Monday that the body discovered last week is Takashi Sugimori, the husband of a Kalamazoo College professor. He went to the lake to cross-country ski early this month. The 56-year-old’s death has been …

The case of a Burr Oak woman charged with murder and felony firearm has been bound over to circuit court. Thirty-four-year-old Maria Audrey-Louise Williams is accused in the shooting death of Dennis Brooks, 33. The incident occurred March 13 in Burr Oak Township. Judge Rob Pattison on Friday said sufficient evidence for the charge of open murder was presented, resulting …

District Court Judge Jeff Middleton has announced that Jim McNeil is the recipient of the 30th St. Joseph County Bar Association’s Liberty Bell award. McNeil has been a law-enforcement instructor at Glen Oaks Community College for 36 years. He will be retiring in May. Middleton said McNeil has has taught the Introduction to Law Enforcement class to hundreds of students, …

A breaking-and-entering incident in White Pigeon Township was investigated last week. Sheriff’s officials responded to the 69000 block of Kalamazoo Street, where chain saws, a leaf blower, generator and a number of other tools were taken. The victim told police the incident occurred before April 21.

A Constantine High School sophomore was the winner of the “Seed Corn Capitol of the World” logo contest. Sponsored by the Constantine Brainstormers, the contest drew 37 entries, including the winning drawing submitted by Carissa Matthews. The winner was chosen by popular vote, which took place earlier this month during the Constantine community Easter egg hunt. The winning logo will …

Saturday’s recycling of household hazardous waste and electronics was most likely the largest ever in the nine-year history of the spring event. Sponsored by the St. Joseph County Solid Waste Management Planning Committee, the collection drew almost 40,000 pounds of electronics, 715 tires, about 2,500 cans of paint, 14,000 pounds of hazardous waste and 80 appliances. In all cases, the …

Two incumbents will likely be returning to the Three Rivers City Commission later this year, while a third will be involved in a contested race. City clerk Melissa Bliss said an August runoff vote will not be necessary, meaning Second District Commissioner Alison Haigh and Fourth District representative Carolyn McNary will run unopposed in November’s general election. Incumbent Daryl Griffith, …

Longtime Sturgis resident Mark Dvorak was appointed to the Sturgis City Commission Wednesday. With a seat to the nine-member commission open as a result of Michael Wilson’s move from the city’s Third Precinct, Dvorak received four votes from the commission. Kimberly Wilson received two and Mark Ritter earned one endorsement. Dvorak will serve until the term expires in November 2016. …

The Abiel Fellows Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has announced its DAR Good Citizens for 2014. Chosen by their schools for their qualities of good character emphasizing dependability, service, leadership and patriotism, the honored students are Kalie Cole of Three Rivers, Kelsey Potter of Constantine, Jennifer Griffith of Mendon and Haley Jo Schlabach of Centreville. The DAR Good Citizens …

Two St. Joseph County school board members earned awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards. Pete Bennett of Three Rivers Community Schools and Sally Boeschenstein of the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District were recognized for their efforts to improve leadership skills, and demonstrate their commitment to student achievement and their own continuous improvement. Awards are earned for classes …